Back into Your Arms: Chapter Eight [ENG]

BiYA Chapter VIII

Iona stood in a daze, staring at one painting after another. She was currently in a luxury art studio owned by a renowned maestro—a place where the bourgeoisie gathered to auction exquisite works just a day after the exhibition. Iona once dreamed of coming here with Joe, but because they were backstreet, they almost never spent time together in public like this.

Briefly, she recalled her conversation with Fiki, who had directed her here.

"I know where he usually spends his time. A boring man obsessed with art. He spends every weekend at museums; a dull hobby. I thought your taste was more aligned with someone like John Cena."

"I didn't ask for your opinion on Joe."

"Ah, suit yourself... but my advice? Pretend to be an art fanatic too, maybe then you'll catch his eye. Who knows. Just a suggestion. You should be able to charm anyone with a face that beautiful."

Iona shook her head, dispelling the memory, and stepped forward. But in her clumsiness, she bumped into the shoulder of a man who was engrossed in a painting. Iona opened her mouth, intending to offer a quick apology. Instead, her eyes widened. Tears began to well up instantly. She never imagined that without even searching, she would find herself face-to-face with the soul of her life—Joe, looking so dashing in his grey suit.

source: Gemini

"Is our collision that painful? Even though you were the one who bumped into me first."

Iona quickly snapped back to reality, cursing herself for making such an awkward first impression. Strangely, Stella's heart was thumping so hard, as if every cell in this body reacted to Joe's presence. Perhaps her soul had truly merged with Stella’s heart, or whatever it was. Perhaps she really did have full command over this body now.

"Eh—no, I—"

"Forgive me, but I don't have time for whatever your goal is—"

Joe turned to walk away, prompting Iona to reflexively grab his arm. Joe’s skin felt so warm. It felt exactly as the memory was etched in Iona’s mind. She cried even harder when she realized which painting Joe had been looking at—a pair of lovers sitting in a green apple orchard. Whatever it was, perhaps it was her high self-confidence, but Iona was certain Joe liked the painting because of their memories.

"I missed you too, Joe."

Iona tightened her grip on Joe, drawing the attention of several people nearby. It wasn't unusual for a man and a woman to be together, but these people were Joe and Stella—two individuals known by the public to have never met before. The Director of Rena Company and the daughter of a Landlord? It was a significant sight among the bourgeoisie, even if they generally ignored one another.

"Security? Please escort this madwoman out."

Once again, Iona cursed herself for being so bold as to touch him and speak so ambiguously. She should have realized she had returned to the world in a completely different physical form, a total stranger to her lover. It might not even be appropriate to call Joe her lover anymore.

"Wait, Joe... listen to my explanation first, Joe—"

Before the two security guards at the door could drag Iona out, Stella’s two personal guards arrived, forming a human shield to block them. Joe yanked his hand from her grip roughly, staring sharply at Iona inside Stella’s body.

"I told you guys to just wait in the parking lot! You're making a scene!" Iona hissed loudly enough for Joe to hear.

"Who exactly are you?"

"I'm Io—Stella. Stella Viviana." Iona smiled broadly and extended her hand, hoping Joe would take it. However, the man merely scanned her new body intently. Perhaps he was trying to remember who this woman was. She introduced herself like a stranger, yet why did she talk about missing him earlier?

"Have we met before?"

"Uhm... maybe?"

Joe clicked his tongue in annoyance. This girl’s answer only irritated him further. He turned and walked away with fast, firm strides; in an instant, he had vanished. It was useless to chase him, as the two guards blocked her path.

"Forget it!" Iona commanded as she saw her guards about to shove the security aside. "I'll see him another time."

"What is wrong with you?! Do you actually know him or not? Where did you find a creature like that? Are you just picking men at random now?"

Iona was startled to find Fiki, in his all-black suit, appearing before her.

"Are you stalking me, Brother?!"

"What's wrong with making sure my sister is safe? Hey, don't dodge my questions!" Iona looked away. "And what do you mean by seeing him another time? No, I won't allow it!" Fiki shook his head firmly, as if his word was law.

"Since when do you get to decide that?"

"Hey, he made you look ridiculous! An arrogant man! How could he call security to kick you out? Besides, what kind of ridiculous introduction was that? Are you really that pathetic at romance? No wonder you've been single your whole life!"

Iona refused to answer a single word and walked away. But before she could pass, Fiki caught her. "You really are thick-skinned, aren't you? Are you really giving up just like that? I'm trying to fire you up so you'll go see him again. Come on, before you become an old maid, you have to try again!"

She pondered Fiki's words for a few seconds, looked at her brother, and nodded several times. "Where does he usually go after visiting an exhibition?"

*＊✿❀　❀✿＊*

Joe sipped a glass of champagne, staring blankly ahead. He tried to push away the thoughts of Iona that kept haunting his mind. If Iona were still here, those memories wouldn't feel so 'infuriating.' But the reality was that she had been dead for a long time; he could no longer see her sweet, small face. It only served to torture his mind further.

He needed to wash his face. Perhaps it would clear his head.

Water droplets still clung to his face and his eyelids, which were dark from a lack of sleep. Joe stared at his reflection in the luxury lounge mirror—a place he had visited hundreds of times. Looking at the miserable look in his brown eyes made him want to laugh; he pitied his own future because he knew he wouldn't be able to forget Iona anytime soon. Would God ever send him a woman as wondrous as Iona again?

"Hi! Can I redo my introduction?"

source: Gemini

Joe felt his heart skip a beat at the sudden greeting. Whether he was too deep in thought or her footsteps were just that light, he was genuinely startled. Still clutching his chest over his white shirt and grey jacket, Joe stepped back. He glared at Iona, in Stella's body, who was now smiling broadly.

He let out a heavy breath and scoffed, but this time he didn't leave immediately. There was something strangely familiar about the way she smiled, even though this was only the second time he had looked at her after the ridiculous incident at the art exhibition.

"Don't tell me... you're the person who tried to see me at the office two days ago?"

Iona blinked repeatedly. She remembered waiting for hours in the lobby and forcing a security guard to stop Joe's car. If she admitted it, Joe would surely be repulsed by her. It was better to lie.

"Huh? Wh-where do you even work?"

Joe sighed, deeply reluctant to deal with her. Now he was certain it was this Stella who had forced her way to see him two days ago. What did this woman want?

"What do you want?"

"I... just want to introduce myself properly." Iona looked at the mirror in front of her. Miraculously, the reflection of her own soul—Iona's original face—appeared in the glass. She was overjoyed and pointed at the mirror repeatedly, hoping Joe would see the same thing. Joe, feeling uncomfortable, looked reluctantly toward the mirror. "Right, Joe?"

"Yes, I know you're quite beautiful. So what? Am I supposed to praise you now?"

Iona was stunned. She looked at the mirror again, then back at Joe, who offered a cold stare. Her soul was still visible there to her eyes, but clearly, Joe didn't catch it. Why was his reaction so flat, as if he wasn't interested?

"Can you see my hair in that mirror? How long is it?" Iona asked, her fingers unconsciously brushing her shoulder as if she were combing the long hair she used to have.

"Shoulder-length—what kind of question is that? Can't you see your own hair?"

It was clear now. Joe couldn't see her true form in that mirror. Iona grew confused: what did she have to do to make the mirror show Iona instead of Stella? And why was Vina able to recognize her instantly back then?

"Forget it, forget it. I just want to apologize properly for bumping into you earlier. Please let me make it up to you with... dinner, perhaps?"

Joe looked Iona up and down, falling silent for a few seconds to weigh the offer, before finally nodding. "Fine. If it will make you stop following me. I get to choose the place, right?"

BiYA Chapter VIII

This work is the intellectual property of Alinea Aneyla. Please do not copy, distribute, or republish without written permission from the author.